Lessons Forgotten
In response to the "Freedom Center" postings...
On September 11th, recently passed, I turned on the television and was knocked to the floor by the barrage of memorial specials. I flipped channels in alarm and quickly lost interest. All networks may have been combined; the bagpipe music and sappy slide shows melted together until ABC and NBC were--for once--indistinguishable from one another.
I commendate the idea of paying homage to those lost on September 11th. Many innocents died at the hands of a poorly educated, bitter and vengeful group of people. I remember the fear and sorrow of the day, and those who share those memories will never forget. What we have forgotten, however, are the lessons we learned that day and in the weeks that followed.
The fall of 2001 showed an unprecedented level of good citizenship and just plain nice human behavior. We had a stronger national spirit than ever, possibly, because we faced a true threat from an outside force. In such events as Vietnam, we were still divided internally. 9/11 created a common enemy, one that was even scarier because it was faceless. Support poured in from every corner of the United States. Stores sold out of American flags within mere days. TVs burned brightly all hours of the day as our nation watched for updates. Although the incident was terrible, it created a union of emotions and goals. Everyone wanted to help.
There has recently been much debate about this "International Freedom Center" that was slated to be built on ground zero. That New York Times article was funny and distressing. "We believe that the site is sacred to more than death. It is sacred to life and to the principles..." Shut the F* up, people. It has been more than 4 years since 9/11, and the fact that we can't even decide what to do with the memorial ground shows just how ununited we truly are. "... the center’s plans are simply too controversial..." We are a people so concerned with being PC that nothing gets done without approval from all sides. September 11th has not changed us as a people, except that aiport security now watches Middle Eastern travelers more closely, lucky them. We are as selfish and isolated today as we were on September 10th, 2001 (excluding the recent hurricanes... apparently it takes a national disaster to bring the good samaritans out of the woodwork).
It will be interesting to see what comes of ground zero, and of Governer Pataki. All BS aside, something should be done with the site, if only so that the NYT will stop droning on about it.
On September 11th, recently passed, I turned on the television and was knocked to the floor by the barrage of memorial specials. I flipped channels in alarm and quickly lost interest. All networks may have been combined; the bagpipe music and sappy slide shows melted together until ABC and NBC were--for once--indistinguishable from one another.
I commendate the idea of paying homage to those lost on September 11th. Many innocents died at the hands of a poorly educated, bitter and vengeful group of people. I remember the fear and sorrow of the day, and those who share those memories will never forget. What we have forgotten, however, are the lessons we learned that day and in the weeks that followed.
The fall of 2001 showed an unprecedented level of good citizenship and just plain nice human behavior. We had a stronger national spirit than ever, possibly, because we faced a true threat from an outside force. In such events as Vietnam, we were still divided internally. 9/11 created a common enemy, one that was even scarier because it was faceless. Support poured in from every corner of the United States. Stores sold out of American flags within mere days. TVs burned brightly all hours of the day as our nation watched for updates. Although the incident was terrible, it created a union of emotions and goals. Everyone wanted to help.
There has recently been much debate about this "International Freedom Center" that was slated to be built on ground zero. That New York Times article was funny and distressing. "We believe that the site is sacred to more than death. It is sacred to life and to the principles..." Shut the F* up, people. It has been more than 4 years since 9/11, and the fact that we can't even decide what to do with the memorial ground shows just how ununited we truly are. "... the center’s plans are simply too controversial..." We are a people so concerned with being PC that nothing gets done without approval from all sides. September 11th has not changed us as a people, except that aiport security now watches Middle Eastern travelers more closely, lucky them. We are as selfish and isolated today as we were on September 10th, 2001 (excluding the recent hurricanes... apparently it takes a national disaster to bring the good samaritans out of the woodwork).
It will be interesting to see what comes of ground zero, and of Governer Pataki. All BS aside, something should be done with the site, if only so that the NYT will stop droning on about it.
posted by Anonymous at 1:06 PM
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